"America Paying Homage to France" 1785 - 1790

"America Paying Homage to France" is a cotton textile made by the Oberkampf Manufactory between 1783 and 1789. It embodies the complex relationship between America and France during the late 18th century. The print commemorates French support during the American Revolution, portraying allegorical figures of America and France exchanging gifts amid lush, exotic scenery. Yet, this idyllic representation obscures the socio-political realities of the time. We see enslaved people in the print, reflecting the hypocrisy of a nation fighting for liberty while perpetuating slavery. The figures idealize a world that is not reflective of enslaved people’s daily lives. The textile reflects a specific cultural moment of optimism and alliance, while also exposing the underlying tensions of race, class, and colonial power that shaped the period. It presents an idealized vision of friendship between nations, yet is grounded in the exploitation of enslaved people.